Art and Power at the Palazzo Pitti

Learn about the Florence's royal past with an art historian

$375 and up

Private

$110/pp

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Art
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Florence

Photos & Highlights

Experience the extensive art and object collections of the Medici family
Led by an art historian
Palazzo Pitti (Galleria Palatina, Museo degli Argenti, Galleria del Costume)

Tour Description

The Pitti Palace, and the amazing art collections contained within, stands as a strong expression of power of the Medici Dukes. The prominent family returned to Florence in the 16th and 17th centuries, after having previously led Florence through the Renaissance. During their second rule, the new branch of Medici transformed Florence into a monarchy, becoming the Dukes of Tuscany and undisputed rulers of Florence. They moved their household into an even larger, more extravagant palace—the Palazzo Pitti, a powerful symbol of wealth and influence. This three hour Pitti Palace tour, led by an art historian, explores the fabulous art and object collections of the several royal families who have made the mansion home—the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy—as well as the building's stunning architecture.

Pitti Palace Tour

While touring the Palazzo Pitti, the majority of our time will be spent picking apart the illustrious Palatine Gallery, once used as part of the Medici winter apartments, and now lined with the Medici art collection. The collection, anything but modest, boasts a hallway of ancient Roman statues from the Villa Medici in Rome, and walls filled with Renaissance and Baroque art, including works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens, and Florentine artists Filippo Lippi and Andrea del Sarto, among others. The wall to wall art collection is all displayed in the royal setting of the palace, complete with luxurious drapery, antique furniture, and other remnants of the opulent life lived by the monarchy.

Expensive Taste

From there, time permitting, we may browse through the extensive collections of silver, mostly stemming from the Lorraine family, who received the objects as gifts from the bishop of Salzburg, jewelry from the most prestigious manufacturers in Europe, and a selection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, collected by the Medici. If time allows and the group expresses interest, we will also take a peek in the Costume Gallery, which houses selections of the past 500 years of high Italian fashion.

For more Renaissance splendor, try our Uffizi Tour.

Beyond the Palace

By the end of the walk, weather permitting, we'll wander into the beautiful Boboli Gardens, whose construction was started in 1549, under Grand Duke Cosimo I. We'll discuss how the gardens, once home to an ancient quarrying yard, whose stone was used for the Palace itself, are in themselves an expression of the Medici's power.

Take Aways

The main focus, and therefore the majority of the time, will be spent on the painting collection. Other areas of the Pitti, including the Boboli Gardens, will be visited time and weather permitting. Those with a strong interest in garden history may be interested in our Florence Secret Garden Tour.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Cornelia

Cornelia has a PhD in art history from Columbia University and wrote her dissertation on Renaissance city planning. She is especially knowledgeable about Medici patronage. In addition to her research and teaching, Cornelia, a mother of a disabled child, runs an association dedicated to barrier-free travel in Florence and is author of "The Accessible Guide to Florence."

Monica

Monica completed her Ph.D in 2009 in history of art and architecture from the University of Virginia, specializing in the Italian Renaissance period. As a writer, she is interested in the literary culture of Florence as well as the city's art and architecture. Before coming to Florence, Monica lived in Rome, Venice, New York City, and Charlottesville, Virginia.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth recently received her MA in Florentine Renaissance art from Syracuse University in Florence. Her interests include women's history and women artists, particularly by women in convents. In addition to leading walks, she also lectures at various universities and institutions in Florence.

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70 Reviews – (4.71)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Siro was extremely knowledgeable and engaging and kept all four of us rapt for three hours.

David

Nov. 26, 2019

We were a group of 6. It was often difficult to hear her. The tours with other Context guides included a microphone system so we could hear the guide and walk at the same time. So we didn’t stop and stand as often as we did with our guide today. Her time management could be better. We didn’t get to see all of the palace rooms.

Joanne

Sep. 26, 2019

Siro managed to take what could have been an overwhelming presentation manageable and understandable to our 9 1/2 year old granddaughter while providing us enough to maintain our interest throughout the tour.

Joseph

Feb. 20, 2019

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Art and Power at the Palazzo Pitti

Participants

Pitti Palace Tour

Expensive Taste

Beyond the Palace

Take Aways